Ask the Holistic Vet Dec. 2018 – Dr. Deva Khalsa

Holistic Veterinarian Dr. Deva Khalsa answers questions about a black lab husky mix who cries when left alone, a dog with a fatty lump, cherry eye in a little dog, chickens who pecked at Foxglove, Malassezia yeast infection in a German Shepherd and how long a dog go without urinating.

Each month Dr. Deva Khalsa V.M.D. answers questions on veterinary issues. Dr. Khalsa is a Fellow and Professor of the British Institute of Homeopathy. Send your questions to[email protected]by the 6th of the month to be included in that issue.

Dear Dr.Khalsa,

My son’s six year old black lab husky mix dog cries and gets so sad whenever he leaves her. She has visited us three times now, but she is so clingy to him, even though I feed her and make treats for her. She doesn’t get over excited or jumpy at anything.She is very calm and quiet. What homeopathic remedy can we try? Otherwise she is a happy dog and so well behaved too. We love her so much.

Thanks a lot

Gudi

Dr. Deva Khalsa:

Hi Gudi,

There are two remedies you can try. The first is Ignatia 30x given three times a day for one month. If there is improvement but not enough go to Ignatia 200c every day for two weeks then every other day for two weeks. If Ignatia does not seem to work at all after that time, you can try Pulsatilla 200c once every other day for 20 days and see how that goes.

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Dear Dr. Khalsa,

What predisposes a dog to a large fatty lump? What can be helpful? What are your views on surgical removal if the position of the lump could become an impediment to walking?

Best Wishes

Sarah Kent

Dr. Deva Khalsa:

Well Sarah, hypothyroid dogs tend to get these lumps more than dogs with normal levels of thyroid. You can do a thyroid test and check the T4 and Free T4. If the lump creates a mobility problem it should certainly be removed. You can also try Raemakers Professional Veterinary Immune Tabs – the dose is on the bottle- and you can purchase them at www.deservingpets.com

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Hi Dr. Khalsa,

My little dog has cherry eye. He also has a tendency to be a bit nervous and sometimes bites people if they touch him without him going up to them. He’s had some Arg Nit which calmed him down a lot but it did nothing with the eye.

Thankful for any suggestions.

Kind regards,

Elisabet Agar

Dr. Deva Khalsa:

Hi Elisabet,

Silicea 1m given once a day for 5 days can be tried for the cherry eye.

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Dear Dr. Khalsa,

We have 2 young chickens (Rhode Island Reds) who just started laying 2 weeks ago. The other day they pecked at one of the foxglove plants, which are gone by now but still have their leafy base. For 2 days they didn’t come out of their coop as usual, and didn’t eat or drink. I put some Nux vomica 5c in water and at least one of them pecked at it.On the 3rd day they came out and today, the 4th, they are outside again, but they aren’t like their usual selves. They stand around a lot doing nothing and don’t eat their grain much, although they do peck and scratch a bit and they do eat grass a little bit.Do you have any suggestions to bring them out of their stupor? I hope they are not permanently damaged. I got rid of all the foxglove, at least.

Thank you,

Carole

Dr. Deva Khalsa:

Hi Carole,

Arsenicum alb 6x in their drinking water. They can all drink it for a few days.

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Dear Dr. Khalsa,

I have a one and a half year old female German Shephard. She seems to be troubled with ear mites. There’s a black crusty layer in her ears and she shakes her head ears. Also, I would like to know the best food for a German Shephard dog.

Thank you

Carol Wargiela

Dr. Deva Khalsa:

Greetings Carol,

It sounds like it might be ear mites but would more likely be a Malassezia yeast infection. A dog’s ear canal is much longer than a person’s and the yeast packs in way deep. I would suggest a very good ear cleaning and exam at the veterinarian and then use Zymox enzymatic ear medication for one week of every month for 6 months, even if the ears look good after two months of one week’s worth of treatment, because the stuff packs down deep and the ear infection never goes away if not treated persistently. I like Farmina dog food from Italy as the meat is from Europe with no growth hormone and the ingredients are organic.

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Dear Dr. Khalsa,

For how long can a dog go without urinating? Some days when we work long hours like 7 or 8 hours and have to leave the dog athome –is that ok or not?

Ranjit

Dr. Deva Khalsa:

Hi Ranjit,

7 or 8 hours is just fine. My dog is one and a half and he goes out at 7 p.m. and does not want to go out again. He wakes up and will not go out till he eats his breakfast so he goes out the next time at 7:30 a.m. which is over 12 hours. While each dog is individual, 8 hours is fine.

About the author

Deva Khalsa

Dr. Deva Khalsa V.M.D. is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, a Fellow and Professor of the British Institute of Homeopathy and has lectured both nationally and internationally. She is the co-author of ‘Healing Your Horse: Alternative Therapies’ and Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog‘. Her practice includes homeopathy acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, nutrition, N.A.E.T, J.M.T. and other modalities. Her philosophy is to use whatever it takes to restore health. Dr. Khalsa’s practice is in New Zealand but she consults by internet and phone with pet owners from the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Europe and the UK. http://www.doctordeva.com